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Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 10-03-06
USCCB.org/New American Bible ^ | 10-03-06 | New American Bible

Posted on 10/03/2006 6:20:55 AM PDT by Salvation

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To: All
One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body


<< Tuesday, October 3, 2006 >>
 
Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23 Psalm 88 Luke 9:51-56
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LIFE LINES
 
"Why is light given to the toilers, and life to the bitter in spirit?" —Job 3:20
 

Nearly all of us can identify in some way with Job's misery. Life is bitter (Jb 3:20) and full of drudgery (Jb 7:1). Relief eludes us (Jb 3:13), and death seems better than any hidden treasure the future could possibly hold (Jb 3:21). Then it gets worse. We "have forgotten what happiness is" (Lam 3:17; Jb 7:7).

When life is no longer worth living, then we've forgotten what life really is. To be more specific, we've forgotten Who life is. Jesus is Life (Jn 11:25; 14:6). Because Jesus is Life, our lives are full of meaning, power, and hope, no matter how miserable our circumstances. Because we are alive, we Christians carry in our bodies the life of Jesus (2 Cor 4:10). His life is revealed in our bodies, even though we are being delivered to death (2 Cor 4:11).

Jesus enables us to become better instead of bitter. On the cross, Jesus overcame all the bitterness and misery that ever existed. He understands our pain and misery far better than we do (Heb 2:17-18). Jesus, the Deliverer (Ps 18:3), sometimes rescues us from "the pit" (Ps 40:2-3). If He doesn't rescue us from "the bottom of the pit" (Ps 88:7), then He does something even better: He comes into the pit with us and shares His life with us (Ps 23:4; Mt 1:23, 28:20). We Christians believe that it's far better to be in the pit with Jesus than to be comfortable without Him (Ps 84:11). With Jesus the Life by our side, we have life "to the full" (Jn 10:10).

 
Prayer: Jesus, "to me, 'life' means" You (Phil 1:21). Thank You for the gift of my life.
Promise: Jesus "firmly resolved to proceed toward Jerusalem." —Lk 9:51
Praise: While Ann was laid up with a broken leg, she accepted God's grace to spend more time in intercession and spiritual reading.
 

21 posted on 10/03/2006 10:16:11 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: All
Compline -- Night Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer)

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
 as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
 world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.


This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.


Psalm 142 (143)
A prayer in time of trouble
Lord, I trust you: do not hide your face from me. Alleluia.
Lord, listen to my prayer:
 in your faithfulness turn your ear to my pleading;
 in your justice, hear me.
Do not judge your servant:
 nothing that lives can justify itself before you.

The enemy has hounded my spirit,
 he has crushed my life to the ground,
 he has shut me in darkness, like the dead of long ago.
So my spirit trembles within me,
 my heart turns to stone.
I remind myself of the days of old,
 I reflect on all your works,
 I meditate once more on the work of your hands.
I stretch out my arms to you,
 I stretch out my soul, like a land without water.

Come quickly and hear me, O Lord,
 for my spirit is weakening.
Do not hide your face from me,
 do not let me be like the dead,
 who go down to the underworld.
Show me your mercy at daybreak,
 because of my trust in you.
Tell me the way I should follow,
 for I lift up my soul towards you.
Rescue me from my enemies:
 Lord, I flee to you for refuge.
Teach me to do your will,
 for you are my God.

Your good spirit will lead me to the land of justice;
 for your name’s sake, Lord, you will give me life.
In your righteousness you will lead my soul
 away from all tribulation.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
 as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
 world without end.
Amen.
Lord, I trust you: do not hide your face from me. Alleluia.

Reading 1 Peter 5:8-9
Be calm and keep watch. The Devil, your enemy, is circling you like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, strong in faith.

Short Responsory ?
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
- Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness.
- Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
- Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Canticle Nunc Dimittis
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. Alleluia.
Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace.
 You have fulfilled your promise.
My own eyes have seen your salvation,
 which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples.
A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness;
 the glory of your people Israel.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
 as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
 world without end.
Amen.
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. Alleluia.

Prayer
Let us pray.
Of your kindness, Lord, dispel the darkness of this night, so that we your servants may go to sleep in peace and wake to the light of the new day, rejoicing in your name.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
A M E N
An antiphon to Our Lady should be recited here.

22 posted on 10/03/2006 10:23:25 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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